This morning I bought my newspapers and had a good browse, whilst I was doing so I came across a full page ad for PC World. Contained in the ad was a 8GB flash drive, reduced from Ɔ104.99 to Ɔ44.99, I said thats good value I'll get that.

I called my wife and asked if she could call to PC World today and pick up something for me, "no bother" she said. I said if you have any trouble call me.

She called me from the shop and said that they were'nt on the shelfs, I suggested ask an assistant, what was I thinking?, here is something like the conversation that took place,

Wife; Sorry I'm looking for the 8Gb Removable memory drive that was advertised todays newspaper.

Asst; Are they on the shelf?

Wife; No thats why I'm asking for help, they were advertised this morning on the newspaper.

Asst; Ok I'll check, I'll come back to you.....

Fifteen minutes later he arrives,

Asst; They c'ant find them in the warehouse either, and you're sure they were on todays newspaper?

Wife ; yes why else would I be here asking so specifically.

Asst; We must have them so, maybe if we go to the and enter the code you'll be able to pay for it and then they'll have find it then as we can't sell stuff we d'ont have stock of.

My wife was totally confused but went along with the idea, she was there for 30mins anyway, at that someone came along waving the product they found them in the warehouse, apparently they were in an "unopened box".

Anyway my wife paid for the stick and left it only took 40 mins to complete the transaction.

Well done PC World and you are wondering why profits are down, look around its not that difficult to see why, if you advertise it should increase "footfall" its what you do who dictates the rest, that advice is free.

Over the last number of weeks, something has begun to annoy and irritate me to the point that I need to get it off my chest.

Why, oh Why, do some adverts for companies and services insist on including www when they announce their respective websites. I cannot recall there been an alternative World Wide Web being launched recently. Its not all companies that insist on doing this but a majority seem to do so.

For example in Ireland , RTE launched its new, improved, website and at the end of the news the presenter tells us that we can watch the stories again on www.RTE.ie/news, where else can a website be found?

So please stop putting www in front of the website address, its 2007.

HMRC you are excused from the above.

When I was a child, and that was'nt yesterday, when my parents asked me if I had any notes from the teacher, it usually meant that if I had I was in trouble. As my own children now are attending school I have kept this time honoured tradition up. I must admit though what I was expecting from such notes was something along the lines of  my little boy had kicked another little boy in the "hows you fathers" during break and the teacher together with the other boys parents would like a "little chat".

No those days seem to be gone forever, the notes that my children come home with, and both of them are in the same school for now,are essentially free advertising for the numerous "after school activities that are available" from the many commerical companies providing these services. They range from painting clubs, science clubs to dancing clubs, and the cost of these can range from €60 to €120 depending on the club.Add to this the book fair where you child will buy a book for a minimum of €10.

I am really annoyed by this ,not only are the companies getting a nice distribution channel but they are exploiting the children. I cannot comment if the school is gaining anything from this,as I d'ont know, but irrespective of that look at the pressure that this puts parents under. Your child asks if they can go ,if you say no all hell will break loose,with them accusing you of being a "Mean Daddy". And what about those parents that simply cannot afford these extra's, it simply add stress to already stressful life.

It also must be a distraction for the teachers having to remember to hand out this material during the day, thereby having to disrupt the teaching process, which can only mean that its our children will suffer from "bity" teaching.They are employed to teach not to be a part of a commercial concern, allow them to do their job.

Surely this has to stop, and I for one think its deplorable. If it the case that the school has to do this for financial reasons then shame on you Department of Education